Hand positions in Reiki are not essential, neither are the specific points or places we rest our hands.  So why do we have hand positions?

A two minute read for Reiki healers and anyone who has received Reiki and might be wondering.

Whenever we are physically hurt we automatically move our hand to the area, and when comforting others it is naturally to use safe gentle touch; a touch on the arm, arm around a shoulder, hugs.  We are tactile beings.

Touch provides warmth, comfort, and reassurance; this is true during healing (whether for other, or self-healing).

Touch helps keep us in the moment, like a physical reminder to ‘be here’ when our mind wanders providing a presence of mind Focus.

When we place our hands on specific areas both healer and the person receiving Reiki will more easily direct their attention and intention to what we would like to be healed.  Remember, this might not be what, or the way, we think though.

Where we place our hands might be guided by where discomfort is felt or a ‘hot spot’ of energy is; this provides both tactile and Reiki comfort.  It can help with the symptoms experienced whether physical, emotional, thoughts, soul level, or whatever aspect of us is in need.  The Reiki energy will still go to the place it is needed, which may be elsewhere, to heal the root causes.

Hand positions get us started with the healing process, especially (but not only) as beginners.  The hand positions give us a structure or framework.  Receiving healing via the hands in expected places of touch can feel very reassuring and safe for the person receiving Reiki.  For the practitioner it can feel like a powerful and supportive healing ritual, one with flexibility and flow.

When we experience emotional upset where we ‘should’ place our hands specifically may not be clear.  Reiki hand positions give you a starting point; stress, emotions, and trauma can be stored anywhere in the physical body.  So rather than perhaps focussing on head and heart, the Reiki touch can be part of the healing release process.

We don’t always have to use touch and hand positions, for example when we hover our hands, carry out an aura scan, Gyoshi Hô, or Distance Healing.  These are all vital and valid ways of giving and receiving Reiki. (This is a subject for a future Reiki blog)